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2.17.2008

Jukebox The Ghost; Let Live and Let Ghosts / Review

Jukebox The Ghost’sLet Live and Let Ghosts full-length debut is lyrically smart piano pop, with equally compelling vocals. This three-piece outfit of piano/keys /, guitar and drums blend catchy hooks with over the top bounce. While the compositional shape of the music holds comparisons to Queen it has an original sensibility.

Ben Thornwill’s piano/keys is the standout that combines classical vignettes, show tune swagger, dance punk edginess and pop / rock styling. In the mix is Tommy Siegel’s funk guitar grooves and Jesse Kristin’s rhythmic drumming that drives the bass line. The great vocals of Ben Thornwill, and sing along hook-bait harmonies are no rest stop. This shit compels you to move.

Soaring with a wink are Ben Thornwill’s tenor vocals that take off in unexpected ways. While his voice can reach levels compared to Freddy Mercury and Jeff Buckley, they are uninhibited and wildly witty with a hint of Kentucky drawl. ”My Heart’s The Same”, a moving epic love song, shows the emotional range his voice can carry.

Jukebox presents our worlds massive dilemmas like a black comedy. The impending doom runs through a three part grouping of deceivingly up-tempo songs. "Fire in the Sky"/ "Where Are All The Scientists Now" / "A Matter of Time”. The song “Where Are All The Scientists Now”, applies phrasing like, / It’s the end of the world la, da de da / da da de da /. Employing dramatic crashing piano segments to emphasize gloom with a capital G, reminiscent of cheesy old movie soundtracks. With in your face wordplay they have updated the sentiment found in the 1956 hit Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be).

The lyrics in the song “Static” provoke social and political examination. The followers and believers fall lockstep with a hypnotic leader and…. / 10,000 strong / shouting in unison / and then Thornwill’s impassioned chorus frenetically sings…. / Mom and Dad wake up, wake up from your slumber / because where going to burn this mother fucker down / sometimes we burn and steal and rape and kill and sacrifice / just to remind ourselves that we’re still alive /.

Other songs like “Hold It In”, “Good Day”, and “Under My Skin” are so memorable that they might be considered dangerous to ones health. Ever heard of earworms? Hold it in oooohhhh / Hold it in ooohhhhh /.

Jukebox The Ghost’s songs unpredictably develop leaving the listener thoroughly engaged. They joyfully create a complex compositional dialogue that has quirk, perk and bounce. Wow! Plus I have heard a must see live.